Gop Activist In Feud With Party

He Objects To Cash For Drive Against Gay Marriage

January 19, 2006|By Buddy Nevins Political Writer

Broward County's Log Cabin Republican President Jack Majeske said he has collected signatures from around the state on a grievance against the state GOP, complaining the party wasted money and violated its own rules by giving $150,000 to a group seeking to ban same-sexmarriages.

"This is my dues money they are spending to stir up hate," said Majeske, head of the 40-member local chapter of the pro-gay-rights Republican group.

The grievance contends the state party is not permitted to support a non-partisan group such as Florida4marriage.org, the organization trying to put a constitutional amendment on the November ballot that would prohibit same-sex marriage or civil unions that offer similar rights.

The grievance also states the contribution was a waste of money considering candidates such as U.S. Rep. Clay Shaw, R-Fort Lauderdale, "is under fire from a well-financed opponent," state Sen. Ron Klein, D-Boca Raton.

He said the state party would probably brush off the complaint but "a stand should be made.

"I think we as a party are going too far to the right."

Florida4marriage.org must collect 611,000 signatures and have them certified by the election supervisors in each of the 67 counties by Feb. 1 to get the Florida Marriage Protection Amendment on the November ballot. The group reported it had about 250,000 signatures last week.

Shane Strum, the Broward Republican chairman, said he has not taken a position on the grievance and the local party has not taken a position on the marriage amendment.

Camille Anderson, spokeswoman for the state party, said it had not received the grievance yet.

Buddy Nevins can be reached at bnevins@sun-sentinel.com or 954-356-4571.